Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Lion_Lady wrote:I've gotten in the habit of using one foot only when stopping. Then I can hold the bike in place with the rear brake and just take off when it's clear.

Oddly, even though I am tall with silly long legs I also only put one foot down - generally because my other foot is covering the brake.

High_Side wrote:It's amazing how long you can be a rider and not build skills. Years of riding does not = skills .....
I don't believe that competent riders need to flat foot both feet.

That's very true. The original post mentioned 25 years of experience. That's all find and dandy, but how many miles did they log in 25 years? 5k miles? 10k miles? Fair weather weekend rider? Get my drift?

ZooTech wrote:While not necessary per se, I think it's still the prudent choice. There are far too many great bikes to choose from to go and buy one that's sits too high for you. Even bikes you can just adequately flat-foot become tip-happy if you stop on an uneven hill or set a foot down in a depression.

Depends on the kind of riding you do.....a Mean-Streak is great for flat-footing if thats what makes you comfortable but it makes a lousy rough-road adventure tourer. There are many kinds of riders and many kinds of bikes. When I rode an enduro,I was prepared for the fact that I couldn't flat foot. Kind of the same thing as remembering that you only have two wheels once you are used to it. Four wheels are safest....but not what I want to use all of the time......

High_Side wrote:Depends on the kind of riding you do.....a Mean-Streak is great for flat-footing if thats what makes you comfortable but it makes a lousy rough-road adventure tourer. There are many kinds of riders and many kinds of bikes. When I rode an enduro,I was prepared for the fact that I couldn't flat foot. Kind of the same thing as remembering that you only have two wheels once you are used to it. Four wheels are safest....but not what I want to use all of the time......

On that same token, I've ruled out a V-Strom 1000. I can flat-foot the 650 all day, but I don't feel comfortable with a bike as tall as the 1000.

ZooTech wrote: On that same token, I've ruled out a V-Strom 1000. I can flat-foot the 650 all day, but I don't feel comfortable with a bike as tall as the 1000.

I've ridden them both and agree. The 650 is better in almost every way.

Last year I rode a 27 "or so speedmaster and most of this year as well I now have a 30 or 31 " buell riding it feels the same even at a stop light becuase I usaully use 1 foot or I can still put the balls of my feet down . I do have a little problem with my yard where my bike shed is it is about a 25 degree slope so one side I am fine but the other side I am a full 2 " short but I am just careful and the problem seems to be more that I am used to the old bike than a matter of distance . If the bike does go over I I let it go heck with it I will fix it and ride tommorow. This is a tragic accident but I don't really think flat footing makes all the difference as he could have easily slipped on oil (ever paid a tollin NJ those things are treacherous) but this just my opinion

ZooTech wrote:On that same token, I've ruled out a V-Strom 1000. I can flat-foot the 650 all day, but I don't feel comfortable with a bike as tall as the 1000.

Zoo, how tall are you? I'm 6'1", but my legs are only 30" inseam. I can't really flat-foot a V-Strom 1000 or a Triumph Tiger, either one of which I would like to have for my next bike. I can get the balls of the feet down, but not the whole foot. Both of those bikes are fairly light for their bulk, so in the showroom it feels comfortable.... but I haven't ridden either yet.

jstark47 wrote:

ZooTech wrote:On that same token, I've ruled out a V-Strom 1000. I can flat-foot the 650 all day, but I don't feel comfortable with a bike as tall as the 1000.

Zoo, how tall are you?

I believe he is about 4'2"

BRUMBEAR wrote:I do have a little problem with my yard where my bike shed is it is about a 25 degree slope so one side I am fine but the other side I am a full 2 " short but I am just careful ........

By the same token, the sight of my 5'6" wife backing her massively top-heavy Triumph Trophy out of the garage and onto the inclined driveway on her tip-toes is more than I can bear to watch somedays! She says she has it under control..... "Yes, dear."

BRUMBEAR wrote:.....he could have easily slipped on oil (ever paid a tollin NJ those things are treacherous)

Yep. So are the painted lines and arrows, they've re-painted 'em so many times the paint is built up thick. In cold weather that paint is like oiled glass, and they cleverly put the things right where you have to put your feet down.

jstark47 wrote:Zoo, how tall are you?

5'10" with a 32" inseam (long torso with short legs).

-Holiday wrote:I believe he is about 4'2"

Oh hardy harr harr!